January severe weather event

**UPDATE 4pm 19 Jan**

• Our engineers confirmed at midday today that the Rawhiti Road bridge is not damaged and that repairs can commence.  Contractors are now moving material and specialist machinery to site so they can undertake the works without damaging the concrete structures around the bridge foundations. We anticipate reopening the bridge to traffic by late tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon.
• Sixteen major road slips hit the Far North District road network as a result of sudden severe rains on Saturday and Sunday. A severe slip creates 500 square metres or more of debris.
• Further heavy rains are predicted over the next 48 hours and Far North District Council civil defence teams are on standby to respond to possible road closures and flooding incidents. Please avoid unnecessary travel and report any weather related incidents to our 24-hour call centre on 0800 920 029.

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MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Watch for Northland starting 6pm tonight (Monday) and extending until noon Tuesday. Rainfall may approach Warning levels or possibly exceed them in some areas. Southeasterlies will be strong in exposed places. More rain is expected tomorrow and Wednesday and strong east to northeast winds may reach gale force.

We will be providing regular updates here on any flooding, road closures and civil defence notices as they occur. Please keep monitoring this page.

If your life or property is in danger, please call emergency services immediately on 111. Please report flooding, slips or other weather-related events to our 24-hour call centre on 0800 920 029.

To check for road closures and delays on state highways: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner or follow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi – Northland

Check the Top Energy website for the latest on power outages: https://outages.topenergy.co.nz/